During the 2009-10 playoffs we saw the emergence of Philadelphia Flyers forward Claude Giroux.

Giroux scored 21 points in 23 playoff games after scoring just 47 points in 82 games during the regular season.

Seeing a player jump from .57 points per game to .913 during the playoffs, when scoring is usually at a premium, is like a red light going on behind the goal...it gets your attention.

Giroux entered this season with a lot of interest from a fantasy perspective and he did not disappoint.

He finished the season with 76 points in 82 games (25g 51a) and was a plus 20. His point total was the highest on the Flyers and his fantasy point per game average using the FHMM standard scoring method for forwards (http://fhmastermind.com/i...&id=41&Itemid=133) was 3.122 which was just slightly below teammates Jeff Carter and Danny Briere and better than Pavelski, Marleau, Lucic, Kane, Vanek, Hossa and Gaborik...to name a few.

This playoffs he has 12 points (1g 11a) in 9 games and is +6. Giroux has definitely arrived as a fantasy "somebody".

Anybody watching the Flyers OT loss to the Bruins the other night, would have to be blind in at least one eye if they didn't notice the performance of James van Reimsdyk. JVR was everywhere, scoring 2 goals and taking 8 shots on goal in just over 28 minutes of ice time.

Through 9 playoff games, JVR has 7 points (all goals) which has him tied for the goal lead on the team with Danny Briere and sitting in 3rd place in points, just behind Giroux and Briere. His points per game average has jumped from .533 during the regular season to .777 in the playoffs.

JVR is having the kind of playoffs that Giroux had last year. While his points per game average isn't quite as high as Giroux's was, he's more of a goal scoring threat than Giroux and in fantasy circles we know goals mean more than assists. The red light is going on behind that goal again.

If he continues to play like he did the other night, the Flyer's coaching staff will have no choice but to give him more ice time. If the Flyers can manage to advance past the Bruins, he should continue to grow during these playoffs.

2011-12 could be a breakout regular season for JVR. With the Flyers core of forwards getting one year older, and guys like Jeff carter often on the injured list, next year could be the year that JVR becomes a fantasy "somebody".

With what I saw the other night, I certainly would not bet against it.

It's now safe to put JVR on your (short) list of breakout players for next year

May 4, 2011 1:02 PM ET
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Before my ice game last night when I told the guys I wanted to see Philly and Wash in the conference final, I almost got the crap beat out of me. Of course, a few minutes later the Caps lost again...so everybody settled down some.